Admiral Ackbar Voice Actor Erik Bauersfeld Dies Aged 93

Erik Bauersfeld, best known for voicing Admiral Ackbar in Return of the Jedi, has died at the age of 93. The voice actor, who was behind one of Star Wars’ most famous lines, passed away at his California home on Sunday.

He also voiced Bib Fortuna, one of Jabba the Hutt’s henchmen, in the 1983 movie, and made a brief appearance as Admiral Ackbar in The Force Awakens. In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle in 2011, Bauersfeld revealed that it only took an hour to immortalise himself complete his voice work for Ackbar, and he knew what the character would sound like instantly.

"I went over, he showed me the picture of Admiral Ackbar, and I did it," he said. "I saw the face, and I knew what he must sound like." I could watch it over and over again. Rest in peace, Erik. [BBC]